Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers • AFT-CFT AFL-CIO

NEWSLETTER Local 1936

April 2011

Union Negotiates Settlement Getting Stepped

in Layoffs On At Work?
By Gabriana Marks
Workplace Bullying Is
After weeks of negotiations, union On the Rise
and district officials signed a
settlement and compromise
agreement last week. Union
leaders were able to save about 85
jobs, among other compromises.

Though more than 200 educators

received pink slips in early March,
union leaders negotiated a
maximum of 123 certificated
employee layoffs.
Additional general highlights of the
settlement agreement include:
• The district is prohibited from
hiring contract workers or
creating non-union positions to
fill positions previously held by
certificated employees.
• Educators working at PLA
(persistently lowest achieving)
schools — Watsonville High
School and EA Hall — now have
an extended deadline of April 18
to request a transfer to another
school.
• Continuing employees shall
receive written notification of their
grade level and/or subject
assignment and school
assignment by June 20.
• Vacant positions will be posted
by May 17 — though possibly as
early as May 4.
• Displaced teachers will have first
priority to choose vacancies at
their site and then within the
district.
• Displaced employees will have
48 hours to make their choice.
See LAYOFFS • page 9
By Gabriana Marks
No longer solely a playground
issue, bullying has become
rampant in the workplace. It’s a
problem for more than 53 million
Americans, according to a 2010
WBI-Zogby scientific national poll
(www.workplacebullying.org). The
study also found 34.4 percent of
Americans report personally being
bullied.
Workplace bullying is defined as
“repeated mistreatment, sabotage
of others that prevented work from
getting done, verbal abuse,
threatening conduct, intimidation or
humiliation.”
See BULLY • page 9

Our Union: In This Issue... Page

• Union Negotiates Settlement in Layoffs ............................... 1
• Workplace Bullying on the Rise ........................................... 1

1189
• PVFT Teachers Rally ........................................................... 2
• Teachers Serving Breakfast in the Classroom ..................... 3
• Hundreds Gather at CFT Convention .................................. 4
• PVUSD 2011-2012 Calendar .............................................. 10
• PVFT Upcoming Events ...................................................... 11
• Connect Online .................................................................... 11
Teachers Strong • Comics, Puzzle & More ....................................................... 12
 Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter April 2011

More Than 100 Rally for Teacher Rights

By Jenn Laskin

On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther actions by Wisconsin

Governor Scott Walker to
King Jr. was assassinated in
eliminate collective bargaining
Memphis, where he had gone to
— and the gradual eroding of
stand with sanitation workers
the American middle class —
demanding their dream: The right
only undermine that struggle.”
to bargain collectively for a voice at
work and a better life.
In Watsonville, more than 100
PVUSD educators and staff
On Monday, April 4, 2011, local
members
coalitions participated in
rallied on the
nationwide actions to support
main plaza to
Wisconsin workers, public services
honking horns
and the middle class. Organizers of
and loud
the rally at the Santa Cruz County
community
Government Center stated, “Dr.
support. We
King was killed in Memphis, TN,
will continue to
where he had stood with sanitation
make our
workers who were struggling for
voices heard
the right to bargain collectively. The
for educational
justice!
Supporters
at the rally
wore stickers
featuring the
message to
the left. Above photos credit: Register-Pajaronian

Below photo

RESPECT
RESPECT
credit:
Register- Taxing Richest 1% Additional
OUR RIGHTS
OUR RIGHTS Pajaronian
1% Could Mean $2.5 Billion
OOLKIT FOR for Education, Services
CAMPUS By Josh Pechthalt, CFT President
California Progress Report
TEACH-INS
The California Federation of
Teachers (CFT) recently released
www.we-r-1.org new polling results showing 78
percent of voters support
increasing income taxes on the top
1 percent of Californians by 1
percent. Such a tax would return
the richest Californians close to the Josh Pechthalt
rate they paid in the mid-1990s, CFT President Elect
when Pete Wilson was governor.
CFT is calling for the progressive “Visionary Leadership
tax to be part of a package to for Challenging Times”
resolve California’s budget crisis. www.joshandjeff4cft.com

2
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter April 2011

Teacher or Custodian? Breakfast in

the Classroom Brings Added Duties
By Gabriana Marks

While the importance of breakfast

is not in question, the
implementation of the Breakfast in
the Classroom program is causing
tension.

“It does take extra time,” said one

second-grade teacher. “I’m lucky to
have wonderful parents helping,
but not everyone has that. Still, it
cuts into instructional time.”

Administrators put forth two

reasons for the School Breakfast
Programs (SBP):
• Children who eat breakfast
will score higher on math
tests.
• The district can earn extra
revenue by serving more
breakfasts.

“Research consistently shows that
hungry students cannot learn,”
according to former State
Superintendent of Public
Education, Jack O’Connell. “The
SBP is an easy way to enhance
children’s health and improve their
academic achievement.”
Higher testing scores would be
universally celebrated, however,
given the reduced instructional
time from the current SBP, it’s
difficult to expect less teaching to
produce higher scores.
Though some teachers support the program’s profits require the free
program, more than half of those services of the classroom teacher,
surveyed at one elementary school a consequence that has the union
were against it. Reasons cited in talks with the district.
included less instructional time,
spilt milk and the ensuing stench, Breakfast at the Break is another
ants and loss of crucial teacher option that’s been discussed.
prep time.
The program is currently being
“Breakfast in the Classroom implemented at Starlight, HA Hyde,
detracts from the Calabasas and
academic focus Itʼs difficult to expect Landmark elementary
of the schools. Ann Soldo
classroom,” said less teaching Elementary is the next
another teacher to produce higher school set to begin
who rolled out Breakfast in the
the program to scores. Classroom.
her class
recently. “We should better utilize Union leaders have filed a
the cafeteria.” grievance regarding this issue. In
the meantime, teachers must abide
No classified staff is paid for this by district mandates regarding
classroom food service. Students breakfast. PVFT is working closely
pick up wagons from the cafeteria with site reps and teachers at
and then teachers monitor the affected schools.
distribution and clean up. The
3
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter April 2011

Hundreds Gather at CFT Convention

By Jenn Laskin
The 69th annual California enjoy today, and which need
continuous protection as we go
Federation of Teachers 2011
forward.
Convention was held March 18 to
20 in Manhattan Beach. The theme
We also elected new CFT
was “Standing Up, Standing
President Josh Pechthalt and new
Together, Speaking Out.” PVFT
Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Frietas.
sent 12 delegates to the
convention.
The CFT's vitality and democracy
depend on participation in the
In a time of great challenges for
convention by delegates from all
public education, the convention
locals in good standing
provided members with the
representing all the divisions —
opportunity to work together to
classified, community college, early
make changes for the better — for
childhood/K-12, adult education
ourselves, for
and university — of
our students,
and for CFT's vitality and the CFT.
California.
democracy depend This year was very CFT also recognized PVFT’s Jenn
successful. Our Laskin and Manny Ballesteros for
At the center of
the convention
on delegate delegates attended being core marchers in the March
workshops on for California’s Future.
was a participation political organizing,
discussion and
debate around in the convention. retirement issues,
workplace bullying,
Want more convention details? Ask
the delegates:
education and
the CA Dream Act Liliana Barrios
union policy. Much of this came
and union communication. Don Brown
from the resolutions submitted by
Captivating speakers, such as the Bertha Carlos
locals and committees of the CFT.
President of the Wisconsin Jack Carroll
Federation of Teachers, also Andy Hsia Coron
This year we also remembered 100
addressed the convention. Kathleen Kilpatrick
years of free speech
Louis LaFortune
battles that
PVFT sponsored a resolution Jennifer Laskin
produced, often with
calling for a moratorium on methyl Mike Melville
great sacrifice from
iodide use, which was passed Sarah Ringler
our members and
unanimously. Francisco Rodriguez
others, the rights we
Mamiche Young

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1969
online at www.pvft.net and email us
your answer to the question below and
you could win a Staples Gift Card!

What would inspire you to attend the

End of Year Celebration on Friday,
May 27th?
The year the American Federation of
The first 25 responses emailed to Teachers issued a charter to the
officemanager@pvft.net who have also Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers
registered online will win a $5 Staples card.

4
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter
Furlough
Day Packing
By Jack Carroll
Some teachers choose to pack up
their classrooms after the school
year ends. In the past, this has not
been a problem. However, this
year, because of the furlough days,
it could be. Our contract does not
limit what teachers volunteer to do
on the furlough days, but if a
custodian is asked to work on
those furlough days, that’s not
“volunteering,” and their agreement
with the district gives them those
days off.
If someone other than a classified
employee, for example, your
principal, is available to unlock
your building and disable the
alarm, you may volunteer to pack
your room during furlough days.
This will be a site-by-site possibility.
Your principal is not obliged to work
during the furlough days.
If your principal is under the
impression that teachers are
forbidden to volunteer during the
furlough days, please notify a
union officer so that we may clarify
the facts.
April 2011
Workshop Strives
to Eliminate Racism
By Jenn Laskin
Four PVFT members recently
attended the Santa Cruz County
Community Coalition to Overcome
Racism workshop on “Undoing
Institutional Racism.” The People’s
Institute of Survival and Beyond, a
30-year old organizational expert in
training communities on
overcoming racism, facilitated this
event.
our organization and will help
The workshop moved beyond a expand the knowledge about this
focus on the symptoms challenging and sometimes
of racism to an understanding of ignored topic. It is our hope that in
what it is, where it comes from, sharing information, we all can
how it functions, why it persists and make our community a much
how it can be undone. healthier, safer, and balanced
place.
The core of the workshop’s
systemic approach emphasized Through dialogue, reflection, role-
learning from history, developing playing, strategic planning and
leadership, maintaining presentations, this intensive
accountability to communities, process challenged participants to
creating networks, undoing analyze the structure of power and
internalized racial oppression and privilege that hinder racial equity.
understanding the role of
organizational gate-keeping as a All of our teachers received full
mechanism for scholarships for this workshop. If
perpetuating racism. you are interested in attending a
June workshop with SCCCOR, call
The information was valuable to the PVFT office to register.
Annual Labor Awards Dinner
Friday, April 29, 2011
Cocktails: 6 p.m. & Dinner: 7 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Hotel & Spa
One Old Golf Course Road
Monterey, Calif. 93940
(Sloat Avenue at Mark Thomas Drive)
At this celebration of solidarity, the Monterey To join
th
sponso e PVFT-
Bay Central Labor Council will honor ple
red tab
le,
outstanding unionists of the year from more officem ase rsvp to
anager
than 60 different unions. These activists are by Mon @p
day, A vft.net
leading local efforts on the front lines — pril 25
.
securing gains for working families throughout
the Central Coast.
5
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter April 2011

Thank You to Michael’s on Main

By Gabriana Marks
More than 80 union members
gathered for PVFT’s Teacher
Happy Hour at Michael’s on Main’s
creekside garden patio in Soquel
hour deals, live music and
socializing with other local teachers
and union reps. We hope to see
you at the next one!

r
on a balmy Friday evening in
March.

PVFT thanks Michael’s on Main for Te ac h e

their generosity, delectable
appetizers and wonderful service!
Teachers enjoyed special happy

PVFT Charters Retiree Chapter

By Lowell Hurst

Retired teachers have a wonderful quality of life issues, and a way to

stay in contact with each other.
opportunity to further serve the
community and share their skills
Lowell Hurst
and knowledge through a retiree’s
retired in
chapter.
June after 32
years with
Their collective wisdom and
PVUSD and
experience can be a powerful
can be
influence for improving public
reached
education and building a better
through the
future. Retirees also need to keep
PVFT office.
an eye on health care, pension and

120,000

No. of CFT Members

6
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter April 2011

Union History and Culture Rooted

in Safety and Rights
By Jason Zasky
Today it’s not uncommon to hear
an employer or employee speak
metaphorically of “putting out fires”
at work. But once upon a time, at
the Triangle Waist Company in
downtown Manhattan, employees
periodically found themselves
extinguishing real fires while on the
job. Usually, a pail of water was
enough to snuff out a potential
conflagration, but on Saturday
March 25, 1911, a fire that began in
a bin of scrap fabric could not be
contained. By the time it was
extinguished a half-hour later, the
now infamous Triangle fire had
claimed 146 lives making it the
worst workplace disaster in New
York history, a dubious distinction it
held for more than 90 years.

Read more: http://failuremag.com/ The home of the Triangle Shirtwaist

index.php/feature/article/ Factory, now known as New York
University’s Brown Building.
the_triangle_shirtwaist_fire/ Photo by Andrew Dolkart.
#ixzz1Je0MYVMM

1882
The first Labor Day

made up of representatives from

On September 5, 1882, some
10,000 workers assembled in New
York City to participate in America's
first Labor Day parade. After
marching from City Hall, past
reviewing stands in Union Square,
and then uptown to 42nd Street,
the workers and their families
gathered in Wendel's Elm Park for
a picnic, concert and speeches.
This first Labor Day celebration
was eagerly organized and
executed by New York’s Central
Labor Union, an umbrella group
many local unions. Debate
continues to this day as to who
originated the idea of a workers'
holiday, but it definitely emerged
from the ranks of organized labor
at a time when they wanted to
demonstrate the strength of their
burgeoning movement and inspire
improvements in their working
conditions.
The Library of Congress
American Memory, Today in History
7
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter April 2011

Tax Breaks vs.

Budget Cuts
By Donna Cooper,
Center for American Progress,
A nonprofit promoting “progressive
ideas for a strong, just and free
America”

House leaders are unfortunately

restricting their proposed budget
cuts for the remainder of fiscal year
2011 to non-security discretionary
spending in an attempt to tame a
$1.3 trillion deficit. This approach is
especially shortsighted since the
Federal Treasury loses twice as
much revenue due to tax breaks
than Congress appropriates on all
non-security discretionary
spending.

The chart to the right compares the

10 safety-net programs slated for
deep cuts with the cost of the tax
breaks that should also be
considered for reduction or
elimination to bring the budget into
balance. The column on the left is
a list of safety-net programs that
have already been targets of the
House leadership’s budget ax. The
column on the right is the cost to
specified tax breaks (see bottom of
full article for sources).

This article and chart have been

excerpted from Center for
American Progress.

To view the full article, please visit

http://www.americanprogress.org/
issues/2011/02/
tax_breaks_infographic.html

8
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter
LAYOFFS • from page 1
• Teachers requesting transfers will
then be given the opportunity to
interview for open positions for
which they qualify.
• Teachers with rehire rights will
have the next priority by seniority
date.
• All temporary teachers who want
to maintain a position with
PVUSD must submit a letter of
intent to the district, with a copy
to PVFT for verification.
• A list of laid-off unit members with
39-month rehire rights will be
used to fill any remaining
vacancies with all Permanents
placed before Probationaries in
order of seniority.
When a vacancy is offered to a
teacher, the teacher will have 48
hours to accept it. If the 48 hours
passes without an acceptance, the
position will be offered to the next
teacher in line. When the
vacancies are posted, check your
phone messages and your email
so you don't miss your offer. Both
HR and PVFT will be aware of
offers as they are made and
accepted.
Think
e
Befor
You Ed
ucated
Pink Li
ps
Protest
Got Pink Slips
?
Education
Get a
G
Don’t rip,
Pink
Slip
Teachers wore these stickers in protest
of pink slips on March 15, 2011.
BULLY • from page 1
Some examples of bullying include:
• Unwarranted or invalid criticism.
• Blame without factual
justification.
• Being treated differently than the
rest of your work group.
• Being sworn at.
• Exclusion or social isolation.
• Being shouted at or being
humiliated.
• Being the target of practical
jokes.
• Excessive monitoring.
In 2007, the San Francisco City
Council adopted the Healthy
Workplace Resolution, which
prohibits workplace bullying.
April 2011
Similar resolutions are being
adopted across the country.
Bullying victims may suffer
emotional devastation (anxiety,
depression, post-traumatic stress
disorder), compromised physical
health (migraine, gastrointestinal
disorders, diabetes), loss of social
support and a negative economic
impact.
r k p l ace
wo
YING
B U L L
What to do if you think
you are being bullied:
Share your
experience
Talk to someone you trust, someone
who will support you and provide a
fresh perspective and sympathetic ear.
Make a record
Keep a diary of details and events.
Include names of witnesses and any
emails or relevant correspondence.
Seek advice
and support
Contact someone who can help you. It
may be your manager, another
manager, a member of the human
resources team, counseling service or
a union representative.
Who to Call...
PVFT Office
831.722.2331
9
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter April 2011

!"#$%& al e ndar Pajaro Valley Unified School District

n a l D raft C 2011 -2012

F '($!)&
i JULY JANUARY
M T W T F 4th of July - Holiday M T W T F 2nd New Years Day
1 CODE: State Testing Window 2 3 4 5 6 12/19-1/6 Winter Break
4 5 6 7 8 Legal Holiday !"9 10
#$" 11
11 12 13 9 & 10 SBC Days
11 12 13 14 15 Stu/Tchr Recess 16 17 18 19 20 11 Begin Qtr/Sem
18 19 20 21 22 Teacher Work Day 23 24 25 26 27 16th Martin Luther King
25 26 27 28 29 Begin/End Qtr/Sem 30 31 Holiday
Trimesters 14 Student days
SBC Days
AUGUST Non School Day FEBRUARY
M T W T F Furlough Day - no school M T W T F
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 17th Lincoln's Day
8 9 10 11 12 15 SBC Day 6 7 8 9 10 20th President's Holiday
#%"
15 16 17
17 18 19 16 Teacher Work Day 13 14 15 16 17
22 23 24 25 26 17 Begin Qtr/Sem 20 21 22 23 24
29 30 31 11 Student days 27 28 29 19 Student days

SEPTEMBER MARCH
M T W T F M T W T F 16th End Qtr/Sem
1 2 1 2 2nd Holiday
5 6 7 8 9 5th Labor Day 5 6 7 8 9 19th Holiday
12 13 14 15 16 12 13 14 15 16
16
19 20 21 22 23 19 20 21 22 23
26 27 28 29 30 21 Student days 26 27 28 29 30 20 Student days

OCTOBER APRIL
M T W T F M T W T F
3 4 5 6 7 2 3 4 5 6 2-9 Spring Recess
10 11 12 13 14
14 14 End Qtr/Sem 9 10 11 12 13 8th Easter
17
17 18 19 20 21 17 Begin Qtr/Sem 16 17 18 19 20 4/11-5/9 State testing
24 25 26 27 28 23 24 25 26 27 window
31 21 Student days 30 15 Student days

NOVEMBER MAY
M T W T F 11th Veteran's Day M T W T F
1 2 3 4 23-25 Stu/Tchr Recess 1 2 3 4
7 8 9 10 11 24th Thanksgiving Day 7 8 9 10 11
14 15 16 17 18 14 15 16 17 18 28th Memorial Day
21 22 23 24 25 21 22 23 24 25
27 28 28 30 19 Student days 28 29 30 31 22 Student days

DECEMBER
M T W T F 12/19-1/6 Winter Break JUNE
1 2 16 End Qtr/Sem M T W T F
5 6 7 8 9 23rd Christmas Eve 11 1 End Sem/Qtr
12 13 14 15 #&"
16 26th Christmas Day 4 5 6 7 8 4-8 Furlough Days
19 20 21 22 23 30th New Years Eve 11 12 13 14 15 1 Student day
26 27 28 29 30 12 Student days 18 19 20 21 22
25 26 27 28 29
175 Instructional Days
1st Semester - 84 student days 2nd Semester 91 student days 5 Furlough Days

Please submit your vote on this calendar to your

REV 2-28-11

Building Rep by Wednesday, April 20th!

Calendar can also be found at: http://pvft.net/images/keydocs/District_Docs/finaldraft_pvusd_calendar1112.pdf

10
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter April 2011

Mark your calendars...

Date Event Location

April 22-29 Spring Break Enjoy!

Friday, April 29 Annual Labor Awards Dinner, Monterey Bay Hyatt Regency Hotel & Spa
Central Labor Council in Monterey

Monday, May 9 Site Rep. & General Membership Meeting District Office Board Room

Tuesday, May 10 All PVFT North Zone Meeting with Fiscal Update, TBD
Layoffs & Rehiring

Wednesday, May 11, Day of the Teacher Celebration, Mexican American Jalisco’s Restaurant
Event: 4 to 6 p.m. Educators, Pajaro Valley Chapter

Wednesday, May 11 PVUSD School Board Meeting District Office Board Room

Thursday, May 19 All PVFT South Zone Meeting with Fiscal Update, TBD
Layoffs & Rehiring

Wednesday, May 25 PVUSD School Board Meeting District Office Board Room

Friday, May 27 PVFT End of the Year Celebration TBD

Friday, June 3 Last Day of School Hooray!

Connect

Fr
LinkedIn.com/company/pajaro- PVFT Office

ee
90A Mariposa Avenue

do
valley-federation-of-teachers

m
Watsonville, Calif. 95076

Bl
vd
facebook.com/pvft PVFT Office

.
Phone: 831.722.2331 DMV
Email: officemanager@pvft.net
twitter.com/pvft Web: www.pvft.net

Meet a Few of the PVFT Staff

Francisco Jack Carroll Jenn Laskin Nubia Padilla Gabriana Abby

Rodriguez Marks
Chief Grievance Treasuer Office Greeter
President Negotiator Officer Office Manager

11
 L R F R A C S I T D I V P T N
O M O V Z V R Y R I N N M I T
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter April 2011
H O C O L L E C T I V E I O S
M R A L L Y H I O PVFT
S A designed
Newsletter I L byNPVFT’s KPuzzle
Office Manager:
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers
D I S T R I C T R Z T F S A G
AFT-CFT AFL-CIO Local 1936
P.O. Box 1222 F U T U R E A T V G S R G T C
S T R O N G E O R G A N I Z E
Watsonville, CA 95077
STel: N831-722-2331
N Q T B S O C T L Y M EOrganized S Creativity • Writing/Editing •
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300,000
M R A L CALENDAR L Y H I O S A I L N K
D I S T CFT R I C T R Z T F S A G The number of workers (across
CLASSROOM 13,000 U.S. businesses) who
F U T U COLLECTIVER E A T V G S R G T C walked off their jobs in the first
May Day celebration on May 1,
S T R O CONTRACT N G E O R G A N I Z E 1886. This was the beginning of
the massive demonstrations that
D S U V DISTRICT P P T R O P P U S K O led us to the 8-hour legal workday.

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PVFT Word Search Puzzle
FUTURE
Find the hidden words in the puzzle to the right. Look for the solution in the next newsletter!
GRIEVANCE
HOLIDAYS
ACTIVIST NEGOTIATE
AFT ORGANIZE
BARGAINING PAJARO
CALENDAR PVFT
CFT PVUSD
CLASSROOM RALLY
COLLECTIVE REFORM
CONTRACT RIGHTS
DISTRICT SCHOOL
DREAM STRIKE
EDUCATION STRONG
FAIR STUDENTS
FUTURE SUPPORT
GRIEVANCE TEACHERS
HOLIDAYS UNION
NEGOTIATE VALLEY
12
ORGANIZE
PAJARO